Sérgio Mendes and band bring Contemporary Music students to their feet
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On Oct. 20, legendary Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes visited campus for a special performance and discussion with Contemporary Music Division students. He arrived with his full band, including USC Thornton faculty member Alphonso Johnson on bass, and opened up the forum with a lively performance that had the student audience dancing and singing along.
Mendes led his group, Brasil ’66, to fame in the 1960s and helped introduce Brazilian music to the American public. After rocking the Carson Center, Mendes sat down with Popular Music program director Patrice Rushen for a discussion about his career and his advice for young musicians.
“As a kid, you know, my thing was music,” he told the students. “The passion for music is what drives you through your life. Pursue the dream. Embrace the dream. Think big. Dream big.”
